State Rep. Brad Witt, who has called himself a "pro-growth Democrat," formally entered the race Thursday for the congressional district held by Rep. David Wu, D-Ore.

Witt, announcing in Astoria, becomes the second Democrat after Oregon Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian to challenge Wu in next year's primary election. State Sen. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Raleigh Hills, is also looking seriously at the race.

In a new campaign website, WittforCongress.com, the Clatskanie resident said he "came to the conclusion I can best serve Oregon as itâs next congressman from the 1st Congressional District."

Witt said in an interview that he thinks he distinguishes himself from his rivals because of his focus on "business and economy and workforce development."

Witt is in his fourth term in the House and is a former secretary-treasurer of the Oregon AFL-CIO.

Wu, who was first elected to Congress in 1998, has attracted strong opposition in his own party following revelations that he lost most of his top staff following the last election after several expressed concerns about his mental health. Wu has said he has received treatment for stress-related issues and can capably represent the district.

Witt said he has talked to a number of voters who want a congressman known for his record in Congress rather than "making headlines that has little or nothing to do" with achieving policy goals.

Unlike Avakian, who entered the race with a long list of endorsements from prominent Democrats, Witt listed just one endorsement - from Mike Caldwell, the No. 2 official in the Oregon Military Department and acting director of the state's Office of Emergency Management.

"We feel it's critical that I be a candidate first, and on that basis I ask people to endorse my candidacy," said Witt.

Avakian had sought to discourage other candidates from entering the race, saying that Wu would be more difficult to defeat in a multi-candidate primary. But Witt said it was a "wide open race" at this point and that Avakian couldn't claim a lock on the right to challenge Wu.

In a statement, Wu said: "I take every opponent seriously, but right now my only focus
is on serving my constituents by bolstering Oregon's innovation economy,
fighting for Oregon's priorities in our ongoing budget debate, and protecting
Medicare for Oregon seniors."